State Sen. Lathrop won’t run for US Senate, but might run for governor (AUDIO)

State Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha has decided not to run for United States Senate. Lathrop, though, might be a candidate for governor in 2014.

Lathrop, a Democrat, says he gave the United States Senate race strong consideration.

“I think the primary reason was my belief that I can better serve people in Nebraska by staying in the legislature, finishing out my term and working on issues that are centered right here in the state of Nebraska,” Lathrop tells Nebraska Radio Network.

Lathrop says he wants to concentrate on child welfare, developmental disabilities and education in his next three years in the Unicameral.

Lathrop says former United States Senator Bob Kerrey’s decision not to run for U-S Senate didn’t influence his decision not to run. Lathrop says he had been giving the race some thought prior to Kerrey toying with the idea of running.

“After Sen. Kerrey decided not the run again that intensified the process of getting to a decision and the timeframe that I had to do it in was abbreviated, but I’m comfortable with the decision I made,” according to Lathrop.

Lathrop says he gave the Senate race a lot of thought before deciding not to run. He says he will weigh several factors before deciding to run for governor.

“Those are going to be I would say primarily related to, as we get closer in time to that decision, whether I think I can offer something to the people of the state of Nebraska by serving in that capacity.”